Suitable for wheel chair users, visually impaired, hearing impaired, amputees, intellectual and cognitive disability and the non-disabled travelers
Overview
Known as the French Riviera of the East, Puducherry is a charming town with a strong French influence in its architecture and lifestyle. From its beaches to historical monuments and temples to churches, there are remnants of French culture mixed with Tamil sensibilities popularly known as the Franco-Tamil architectural style that defines the essence of Puducherry. Its unparalleled cultural diversity offering the best of both worlds has resulted in numerous people finding peace and a sense of belonging here.
Puducherry was a French colony until 1956 when it became a part of India.
Weather
Weather is typically hot and humid through the year with rainfall between late August and early December. Maximum rainfall occurs in October and November. Average temperatures are between 26°C and 34°C.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit is from December to February when the temperatures are lower. But there’s no bad time to visit, honestly.
Language
The official languages are Tamil and English. 20% of Puducherrians speak French.
Food
The French influence can be seen in Puducherry’s native cuisine where France’s passion for food meets India’s love for spices. You can find most French dishes here as well as Tamil dishes. Subtly put, here you can find a crepe, a dosa and everything in between. Puducherry is a gastronomic delight.
Ideal for
Beautiful beaches, rest & rejuvenation, french influences, meditation
Duration of stay
2-3 days for exploration, add a day or two for relaxation
Highlights
- The French Quarters have boulevards and rues with quaint colonial structures leading to a gorgeous seaside promenade dotted with delightful cafes, bakeries and chic boutiques.
- The old Tamil Quarters have antiquated streets, colourful markets and ornate temples. For a native experience stay in a delightful old house of original Tamil architecture.
- Enjoy tea and conversations with a lady of mixed Tamil and Creole heritage, at her Franco-Tamil home to get a deeper insight into the immersion of French culture with the Tamil.
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Art and History Puducherry Museum, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Notre Dame Des Anges Church, and École Française d’Extrême-Orient are some remarkable places to visit.
- Delight your soul with a visit to an elephant care facility which rehabilitates abused temple elephants. Observe these gentle giants dust bathing, grazing, playing and bathing in natural surroundings.
- Visit Auroville- the city of dawn. It is a one-of-a-kind universal town built with the vision of an ideal society that stands for human unity and transcends creed, politics, culture and nationalities. Where people from 43 different countries live peacefully and sustainably, where spirituality and progress take precedence over material gain and pleasure.
- Visit the Matrimandir, the soul of Auroville, symbolising the birth of a new consciousness. It is a meditation center with no religion but to find one’s consciousness and the visitor’s centre where you can learn more.
- You can also check out the handicrafts, clothes, and accessories at the Auroville Main Road Market and Boutique d’Auroville, and taste locally-sourced food at the Auroville Bakery & Boulangerie.
Added Escapades
Chennai and Mahabalipuram
Chennai is an urban metropolitan city with multicultural roots, diverse European neighbourhoods, architectural marvels and an inextricable link with India’s colonial history. The coastal town of Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO world heritage site consisting of impressively carved temples, ancient rock cut caves and massive sculpted reliefs from the 7th-8th century. Read more